[Action alert 1 - * 2nd letter] China Viciously Massacres 54,000 Dogs in Rabies Scare * 2nd letter

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2nd sample letter

 

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Please write to :

 

Chuxiong Government Office

No. 125, Lucheng South Road, Chuxiong, Yunnan

Zip: 675000

People's Republic of China

 

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Sample letter :

 

Dear Sir / Madam,

 

We are appalled to learn that the Chuxiong Government authorities have

recently slaughtered over 50,000 dogs - both registered and

unregistered; including those that are vaccinated against rabies – in

Mouding County. Since this news was publicised, we have been inundated

with letters and phone calls of outrage and complaint - both from our

supporters in China and internationally – demanding an end to this

barbaric slaughter. Whilst we appreciate your concern with public health

and safety issues, such indiscriminate, cruel and reactive slaughter

methods do not solve the core problems of rabies outbreaks and control.

 

A recent report by the Animal Welfare Board of India has shown the

results of a study which compares two different methods of controlling

rabies. Conclusive results from this study show that responsible

“spay/neuter/vaccinate/release” programmes have reduced the incidence of

rabies by a significant percentage. “Since 1996, instances of rabies in

humans have reduced from 120 to five a year in Chennai” said Dr. K.

Manivasan, Joint Commissioner (Health), Chennai Corporation. The study

covered two periods; the first from 1980 to 1995 when the killing of

dogs was implemented as the method of choice of rabies control, and the

second period from 1996 to 2005 after the killing was replaced by

spay/vaccinate and return programmes. The results showed a rapid

distinct downtrend of rabies after 1996 “and was further proof, if any

were needed, that Animal Birth Control/Vaccination is the only sensible

way to go to control the street dog population and rabies.”

 

Similarly, Dr. Francette Dusan, a WHO expert on diseases passed from

animals to people, said effective rabies control required coordinated

efforts between human and animal health agencies and authorities. “This

has not been pursued adequately to date in China with most control

efforts consisting of purely reactive dog culls,” Dusan said. Associated

Press 1st August 2006.

 

Furthermore, it is quite impossible to prevent people from keeping dogs,

and perhaps more importantly, it is recognised that pet ownership is a

vital component of any society. Already, dogs are increasingly being

recognised within China as valuable members of society: changing family

demographics, such as childless couples and increasing numbers of

elderly people living alone, mean that more and more people are turning

to dogs for companionship and support. As a result, pet ownership is

booming, with just over 150 million pet dogs throughout the nation - one

for every nine people. (Xinhua News Agency 14th February 2005).

 

As with similar studies worldwide, recent research in China, jointly

conducted by the Psychology College of Beijing Normal University and

Companion Animal Research and Information Centre (CARIC) also concluded

that pet owners have better physical and mental health than non-pet owners.

 

" The human-pet bond is one of attachment and loyalty. When we as a

society pay attention to it, we can also benefit from it by improving

the quality of life for at least some social strata in very tangible

ways. Hopefully our research can help the government in its pet-related

regulations. "

Professor Zheng Richang, Beijing Normal University.

 

In recognition of the important role that dogs play in society, city

departments in Beijing reduced the licence fee from 5000 Rmb to 1000

Rmb, as of October 15th 2003. Subsequently the number of registered dogs

shot up to 410,000 citywide and experts estimate that this represents

roughly 90 per cent of the total number of dogs in the capital - all of

which are now vaccinated against rabies.

 

Dogs and other companion animals also provide an important financial, as

well as emotional, contribution to China: according to the Beijing

Kennel Club, pet owners in the city spend more than 500 million yuan on

their pets a year. Experts predict that the annual sale of pet food and

accompanying necessities and accessories in China may exceed 6 billion

yuan by 2008 and that the market potential for the " pet economy " could

reach a minimum of 15 billion yuan.

 

Embracing dogs as an integral part of our society also has long-term

ramifications in the control or reduction of national healthcare costs.

Studies by Professor Bruce Headey, at the Melbourne Institute of Applied

Economic & Social Research, puts the amount of national savings in

Australia or Germany at billions of dollars.

 

Animals Asia's successful Dr. Dog animal therapy programme sees over 250

dedicated volunteers and their dogs visiting hospitals, disabled

centres, elderly homes, orphanages and schools spreading warmth and love

to people in need across Asia. Dr. Dog operates in Hong Kong, Japan,

India, the Philippines Taiwan and, most recently in China, in Chengdu

and Guangzhou. As a result, we have been inundated with calls from

organisations across China requesting visits and from dog owners

enquiring how to join this uniquely beneficial programme.

 

" The delight that Dr. Dog brings to our patients can never be done by

medicine. "

Professor Jinxiang Li,

The Department of Palliative Care, West China Fourth Hospital of Sichuan

University.

 

With dogs offering so many benefits to all sectors of society, it is

vital that they are treated with the respect and compassion that they

deserve. We urge you to readdress the current regulations and to follow

the example of other countries in Asia who have introduced wide-ranging

protective measures for companion animals and who promote far reaching

education programmes of responsible pet ownership, rabies awareness and

humane stray dog and cat control. Animals Asia and the groups with whom

we work with would be pleased to cooperate with you on all levels to

introduce and advise on public education initiatives to ensure that dogs

and people can peacefully and safely co-exist in Chuxiong.

 

In this context, we would like to request an urgent meeting with you to

discuss this matter further and look forward to working with you towards

a more harmonious relationship between people and companion animals.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Jill Robinson MBE

Founder & CEO

Animals Asia Foundation